By Dave Meltzer |
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| @DaveMeltzerWON

We're looking for your thoughts on tonight's Survivor Series and yesterday's New Japan show so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match for each show to
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Tonight's show:

*Randy Orton vs. Big Show for WWE title - There seems to be the feeling of some sort of a shmazz or screw job ending to build a return next month. If they try to play of 1997 with Bret Hart there it's so beyond overdone. I'd suspect either way the champion coming out of this show will be the heel, or at least should be.

*John Cena vs. Alberto Del Rio for world title - They could do anything and it's not like they've got a new opponent ready. Cena is expected to hold this title at Mania, but to pass time that doesn't mean they can't do a switcheroo. Still, most likely Cena retains.

*Cody Rhodes & Goldust & Usos & Rey Mysterio vs. Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose & Jack Swagger & Antonio Cesaro in a tradition Survivor Series elimination match - Usually faces go over here, but if the idea is to set up a new tag team title challenger for the Rhodes brothers, and that is what this should be about, then one of the two heel teams should be left at the end. Expectation is a big night for Reigns either way.

*Big E Langston vs. Curtis Axel for IC title - Anything but a clean win for Langston here would be silly.

*Kofi Kingston vs. The Miz in the pre show match at 7:30 p.m. - Really, Miz just turned so he should win to get some steam on him. Both are pretty dead in the water right now.

I have to say this is the first WWE PPV in a long time that I look at on paper and think it won't be good. The Rhodes Brothers match looks like it'll probably be real strong. Cena vs. Del Rio will be fine, but I don't expect it to be great. Boston is usually a lively crowd which helps. Very difficult to get excited for a show with Orton vs. Show on top, because you think screw job going in and that's never a good thing. Plus, the last two shows have had high expectations going in and neither delivered.

Raw is live Monday from the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY. Michael Strahan will be guest host.

Smackdown and Main Event will be taped Tuesday night at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT.

The new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is up, talking the launch of the WWE Network as well as an idea that was brought up that would almost guarantee a successful launch, but one that doesn't come without serious risks, and we look at the risk/reward ratio. We also look at the new hire, the economics of the network at different price points and other factors involved.

We also look back at all the controversy coming out of the UFC 20th anniversary show, including the judging of the GSP vs. Johny Hendricks fight, the reaction to the judging, the realities of the ten point must scoring system, a look at other scoring systems and each's flaws, GSP's comments after the fight, Dana White's comments after the fight, interesting poll results regarding the main event, stats regarding the effect of the half-point scoring system and Pride scoring, White's blaming the commission, GSP's issues, what cost Hendricks the fight, the 20th anniversary party, business on the show, match-by-match coverage, and how much everyone earned.

We also have a huge UFC history piece, on the period that shaped UFC, from its original show, talking with the people who were there from the start, their memories, what problems ensued, what went wrong, what went right and all the various luck that was involved in bringing the sport up, nearly killing it, and its successful second birth. We also look back at the beginnings of MMA in Japan with Pancrase, how quickly UFC became a hit, threats to the people running it, how Joe Silva first got involved, the UFC curse, the court fights, the politicians, the battle with John McCain, the battle in New York, the show in Dothan, AL, the turning point for the original UFC and more.

We also look at all kinds of ironies from the early years to the modern period, the changing of the rules, the first time back on PPV, the Shamrock vs. Ortiz feud, the Ultimate Fighter and the first time UFC hit 1 million buys on PPV.

We also look at this year's Survivor Series, ticket sales, return of Rey Mysterio, Dwayne Johnson's latest movie project, WWE doing PPVs in Europe and does it make sense, new WWE signee, new products, Sheamus talks favorite WrestleMania moments, who the company is high on for the future, what wrestler with no push is selling merchandise well, Mickie James training at WWE, and Pat Patterson.

We also look at the WWE European tour with highlights from all the shows.

We also look at Antonio Inoki and his future in the Japanese senate after his latest escapade.

The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else.

The Observer is now in its 31st year of being the leading insider pro wrestling publication in the world. The biggest and most influential names in the pro wrestling and MMA industry, from bookers to promoters to Hall of Fame wrestlers and fighters to the biggest names on camera and behind the scenes, along with thousands of readers in all 50 states and more than 30 countries subscribe. Many have subscribed for 20 years or longer consecutively. They get the most detailed and inside coverage of what is going on all over the world. Everywhere from Wall Street to the major offices to television networks in the U.S. and Japan turn to the Observer for what is going on in the business.

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We also have a look at the ratings of all the major shows and how every segment on Impact did as far as gaining or losing viewers.

We also have results from all the major league arena events over the past week as well as a look at all the major television shows.

Also in this week's issue:

--What Atlantis said about the potentially biggest match in Mexico in years

--Welterweight title change

--Dragon Gate USA's New York weekend including Hero vs. Gargano

--Wrestle-1 preparing its biggest show

--A.J. Styles in Japan

--The earthquake that shook the ring

--TNA tag team in Japan

--The 37th annual World's Strongest Tag league tournament

--New matches announced for NOAH's big year-end show including title matches featuring an ROH star, and a match featuring a former MMA star

--Notes on Price Devitt and his New Japan contract

--Lineup for the next several New Japan iPPV shows

--80s wrestling figure returns

--Puerto Rico's big show and latest programs

--More on Devon Nicholson's ongoing lawsuit against Abdullah the Butcher

--Boxing champion starting pro wrestling

--Updates on Eddie Edwards & Davey Richards

--What Richards said that got ROH hot

--New idea for 2014

--Notes on ROH television tapings

--TNA sale update

--More on outside talent being contacted by TNA

--Notes on upcoming TNA PPV shows

--Notes on upcoming TNA TV shoots

--Notes on the new Impact Zone in Orlando

--Gail Kim storyline

--Why Jon Jones isn't fighting

--Update on Anthony Pettis

--Update on GSP vs. Hendricks II

--More on first FOX special of 2014

--Update on Nick Diaz

--More on opening up women's 115

--Lots of new UFC shows and new UFC fights

--A look at the return of Rampage Jackson

--Sports vs. entertainment in MMA

--Upcoming on the Bellator title picture with Askren gone and tournaments ending

--The story behind Matt Riddle being fired

--Son of pro wrestler debuts in Bellator

New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major stories of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we'll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We've got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue.

Our most requested issues in our history are:

*November 17, 1997 (full details of everything leading to the most famous wrestling match finish of modern times at the Survivor Series plus a history of in-ring double-crosses)

*December 21, 1998 (the complete Vince McMahon-Bret Hart conversation right before the Survivor Series match so you'll know exactly what was said--the conversation played in edited form both on the inaugural broadcast of Confidential as well as in Wrestling with Shadows, but everything that was said between the two about the match that was going to take place that same night)

*August 1, 1994 (the most detailed coverage anywhere of the Vince McMahon steroid trial, an issue praised in numerous newspaper article and Sex, Lies and Headlocks)

*March 26, 2001 (death of WCW and history of pro wrestling on the Turner networks)

*October 22, 2001 (why the adult audience has left pro wrestling in such great numbers and what needed to have been done to save them)

*April 21, 2003 (history of WWF continues with the expansion nationally, the death of the regional territories and the rise of Hulk Hogan)

*May 12, 2003 (The life and death of Elizabeth and the rise of fall of Lex Luger)

*June 9, 2003 (Part 1 of history of WWF vs. WCW wars and what many say was the greatest year in U.S. wrestling; plus a look at Fred Blassie)

*June 16, 2003 (Freddie Blassie through the eyes of his biggest rivals and friends)

*July 28, 2003 (Part 2 of the history of the WWF vs. WCW war and the plans to make new superstars in the early 90s, what happened, and the night where the three biggest wrestling companies in the world combined for a joint show and what happened)

*August 25, 2003 (2003 Hall of Fame issue with huge profiles on the controversial career of Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit as well as historical features on Earl Caddock and Francisco Flores)

*September 22, 2003 (Part 3 of the history of the WWF vs WCW war with the seeds that caused the collapse of the industry in the 90s, Zahorian trial, Gulf War controversy, Flair leaves WCW while holding world title and much more)

*October 27, 2003 (The fascinating life of Stu Hart plus the story of Road Warrior Hawk)

*February 23, 2004 (History of Guerrero family with Eddy's win over Brock Lesnar)

*March 1, 2004 (History of WWF continues with the period that brought the company down in early 1992, the mistakes, the real stories and how the business changed)

*March 8, 2004 (History of Wrestlemania, its greatest matches and best and worst shows as voted both by wrestlers and non-wrestlers and Wrestlemania history books)

*July 5, 2004 (A look behind the scenes and Ric Flair's book and his background with Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan)

*July 12, 2004 (A look at more on Ric Flair's book and his comments on Bruno Sammartino, Bret Hart and Mick Foley)

*August 16, 2004 (History of the Olympians in pro wrestling)

*August 23, 2004 (2004 Hall of Fame issue and biggest issue of the year with huge profiles on Kazushi Sakuraba, Undertaker, Bob Backlund, Masahiro Chono, Ultimo Dragon, Kurt Angle and Tarzan Lopez--this counts as one issue if you are asking for a free issue, but ordered separately, due to size, is $6 in North America and $7 overseas)

*October 4, 2004 (the life and times of Big Bossman; as well as details of the life and times of one of the most influential men world wide in pro wrestling history, Jim Barnett)

*November 15, 2004 (the full story of what happened between Kurt Angle and Daniel Puder, plus coverage of the most important week in the history of TNA)

*January 24, 2005 (2004 Awards issue, Rock and WWE part company)

*March 14, 2005 (the 50 biggest money players in the history of WWF and a look at their Hall of Fame)

*May 9, 2005 (the life and times of Chris Candido)

*June 20, 2005 (The full story behind Paul Heyman and the death of ECW, as well as coverage of One Night Stand, Hardcore Homecoming and behind the scenes of both shows)

*July 18, 2005 (death of Shinya Hashimoto and his records with a look at the fall of New Japan, the Matt Hardy angle, tons of WWE firings, Cornette firing in detail as well as problems of a WWE developmental territory in our biggest news issue of the year which is a double-sized issue and would be $6 on its own and $7 overseas)

*January 9, 2006 (The life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, plus New Year's Eve 2005 coverage)

*January 16, 2006 (2005 Awards double issue, $6 or $7 overseas)

*April 3, 2006 (Story of Ann Calvello and the history of Roller Derby--many called this the best issue of the Observer ever)

*April 10, 2006 (Behind the scenes at the 2006 Wrestlemania/Hall of Fame week)

*July 24, 2006 (The History of the Von Erichs and World Class Championship Wrestling--the most unreal story ever in wrestling)

*September 4, 2006 (The Rise and Fall of Kurt Angle; 2006 Hall of Fame inductions of Eddie Guerrero, Paul Bowser, Masakatsu Funaki, Aja Kong and Hiroshi Hase including tons of wrestling history around the world from the 20s through the 60s, the evolution of working to not working in Japan, and a look at Guerrero in hindsight, double issue $6 or $7 overseas)

*October 9, 2006 (A look back nine years later at the life and legacy of Brian Pillman with tons of inside information about what made him tick as his real objectives)

*November 15, 2006 (History of WCW part one, Eric Bischoff's book and how the industry was changed forever)

*November 27, 2006 (History of WCW part three, When Bischoff challenged McMahon to fight; Truth and fiction around Bret Hart signing with WCW and why it didn't click)

*December 6, 2006 (details behind Pride's offers to sell promotion and Part four of History of WCW part four, Hogan-Goldberg match and why there was no rematch, WCW loses NBC network deal in 1999 and the real reasons the company fell apart)

*August 11, 2008 (Ric Flair leaves WWE; Updated history of pro wrestlers and MMA fighters who went to the Olympics)

* September 8, 2008 (2008 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas; part one of Killer Kowalski bio)

* September 15, 2008 (Life and Times of Evan Tanner)

* September 22, 2008 (The amazing career of Killer Kowalski, one of our most in-depth bios)

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For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52 .

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We now have available personally autographed copies of Tributes II, our latest book, as well as a DVD that comes with it talking more about the subjects in the book. The book covers the life stories of Lou Thesz, Wahoo McDaniel, Elizabeth, Fred Blassie, Road Warrior Hawk, Andre the Giant, Curt Hennig, Johnny Valentine, Davey Boy Smith, Terry Gordy, Owen Hart, Stu Hart, Gorilla Monsoon, The Sheik and Tim Woods..

To get all of those biographies as back issues of the Observer would be a $60 value today. This is a collection of some of the best Observer articles of the past several years in a hardcover, full-color format that is 239 pages. There is also a foreword by Bret Hart. The book price is $12.95 plus $3.50 for shipping costs in the U.S., $10 for shipping costs to Canada and $12 for shipping costs outside North America. You can order the book the same way you order the newsletter.

SUNDAY'S NEWS UPDATE

--Bryan and I will be back tonight with Wrestling Observer radio, covering Survivor Series, TNA's TV tapings, New Japan as well as taking e-mail questions that can be sent to
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--Total Divas airs a new episode at 10 p.m. Will be interesting to see how much Survivor Series hurts the rating. SummerSlam hurt the rating significantly in August.

--Andy Ristie's win over Giorgio Petrosyan at the Glory show from the Madison Square Garden theater was in its own way bigger than if GSP or Anderson Silva lost, actually significantly. Petrosyan came into the fight 78-1-1 and had never been knocked out. He was clearly not himself due to injuries, but still had won the first two rounds before getting caught. His prior loss was nearly seven years ago in Thailand to Buakaw Por Pramuk, who himself was a legend, and that was via decision. That was 44 fights ago. It's not bigger in the sense in this country nobody knows him, but a 44 fight unbeaten streak, particularly being in plenty of tournaments where a lot can happen, is one incredibly impressive streak, really second to only Floyd Mayweather Jr.

--Daniel Bryan's 11-year-old yellow lab Asparagus the Wonder Dog died on 11/18. Our sympathies to him for that, because that's the worst. one of the worst things. He said he's grieving the loss and that every time he won a title, he would take a picture of himself and his dog with the belt. He's guaranteed a memorable match tonight.

--The death of Maurice Vachon got actually an incredible amount of press. Even in Vancouver, which was not even a place he regularly worked, it was on the front page of the Friday Vancouver Province. It was huge throughout Canada, particularly in Quebec and Manitoba, where he was more a cultural icon than just a pro wrestler.

--We're looking for feedback from anyone who attended the New York pro wrestling movie festival held over the weekend. Roddy Piper was there last night making an advertised appearance as they showed "Pro Wrestlers vs. Zombies." He did a surprise Piper's Pit for 35 minutes asking the audience what they thought and told a lot of stories. Joel Gertner was also there doing his character after the "Barbed Wire City" documentary aired.

--At this point that ban is so beyond ridiculous when it includes allowing amateur fights in the state that go completely unregulated.

--Today is the 30th anniversary of the original Starrcade at the Greensboro Coliseum, one of the biggest shows in pro wrestling history up to that point in time, which featured Ric Flair beating Harley Race for the NWA title, Roddy Piper over Greg Valentine in a dog collar match and Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood over the Briscos for the NWA tag title.

--Keep in mind this means nothing because the start money comes in around 6 p.m., but these were the morning WWE odds

Randy Orton -600

Big Show +850

John Cena -1000

Alberto Del Rio +1100

Punk & Bryan -400

Wyatt Family +225

Total Divas team -300

Non-Divas team +225

Big E Langston -800

Curtis Axel +450

Shield team -600

Rhodes team +350

--Yesterday was the 19 year anniversary of the death of Art "Love Machine" Barr, who was a legitimate franchise heel in AAA. At the time of his death, he and Eddy Guerrero were the best tag team in the business, and he was really the star of the team. Not saying he was the better wrestler, because he wasn't. There's a lot that can be said both positive and negative about him, and was, but he was an amazing performer.

--On this day in 2003, former NWA champion Dick Hutton passed away at 80. Hutton was one of the most underrated amateur wrestlers in U.S. history. He came one disputed decision away from being a four-time career unbeaten NCAA champion long before Cael Sanderson, but lost a disputed double overtime decision to Verne Gagne in 1948.

--Los Angeles promoter Mike LeBell was 79 when he passed away on this day in 2009. (thanks to Georgia Wrestling History)

--John Cena and the Bella Twins were at the Austin Comic Con yesterday on their "day off" from wrestling. Cena's lines were huge. They were filming the second season of Total Divas at the convention (thanks to Pete Schirmacher)

--On the front page of today's Sydney Morning Herald was a story on Greg Cummins, who everyone calls Hulk Hogan because he has the same look. He survived Typhoon Haiyan in Guiuan in the Pacific Ocean. Nearly everyone who was quoted in the story called Cummins by his Hulk Hogan nickname. Hogan should try and make a contact with him. (thanks to James Stanios)

ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY

1938 - Sammy Stein beat Lobo Negro to win the world lightweight title in Mexico City

1983 - Chris Adams beat Jimmy Garvin to win the American title in Dallas. This was on a show headlined by a Kerry Von Erich vs. Michael Hayes loser leaves town match that set the all-time Texas gate record at the time and sold out 19,000 tickets in advance

--Bjorn Rebney after the show Friday said he was considering a Daniel Straus vs. Pat Curran rematch at featherweight rather than going with Straus vs. Patricio Pitbull, who just won the tournament. Curran is the former champion. Rebney made it clear it's just something he's considering and hasn't made up his mind.

--World Series of Fighting's next show is 12/7 from Vancouver has its lineup complete now.

--EWF will have a show to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of San Bernardino on 11/30 with $10 tickets for adults and $5 for kids. The show is at the Boys and Girls Club at 1180 W. 9t St. Info is at 909-886-5201 or 909-888-6751

--Brian Matheson at http://www.ebay.com/usr/musicfreak206 is selling his wrestling collection including Japanese tapes, as well as a lot of other items including chairs from WrestleMania 19 and No Mercy.

--AAW on 11/30 in Berwyn, IL at the Eagles Club headline by Shane Hollister vs. Kevin Steen and the finals of a tag team tournament which has semifinals of Irish Airborne vs. Jimmy Jacobs & Silas Young and Zero Gravity vs. Ethan Page & Ricochet, plus ACH vs. Matt Cage an Kyle O'Reilly vs. Ali